Should you increase your following distance if someone is tailgating you?

Increasing your following distance when someone is tailgating you is crucial for maintaining safety on the road. When a driver is too close behind you, it reduces the amount of time you have to react to unexpected situations, such as sudden stops or obstacles in your path. By increasing your following distance, you create a buffer zone that provides additional time and space to respond safely if you need to brake or maneuver your vehicle.

This practice also helps to minimize the risk of a collision. If the tailgating driver does not maintain sufficient distance or is distracted, their ability to react quickly is compromised, putting both drivers at risk. Therefore, maintaining a greater following distance not only improves your safety but also encourages the tailgating driver to pass when it's safe to do so.

The other options suggest maintaining different distances based on particular circumstances, which do not adequately address the potential dangers posed by a tailgater. Maintaining safety should always be the primary concern in this situation.